The Print

Description

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) produced some of the 20th century's most iconic photographic images and helped nurture the art of photography through his creative innovations and peerless technical mastery. The Print --the third volume in Adams' celebrated series of books on photographic techniques--has taught generations of photographers how to explore the artistic possibilities of printmaking. Examples of Adams' own work clarify the principles discussed. This classic handbook distills the knowledge gained through a lifetime in photography and remains as vital today as when it was first published. The Print takes you step-by-step--from designing and furnishing a darkroom to mounting and displaying your photographs, from making your first print to mastering advanced techniques, such as developer modifications, toning and bleaching, and burning and dodging. Filled with indispensable darkroom techniques and tips, this amply illustrated guide shows how printmaking--the culmination of photography's creative process--can be used expressively to enhance an image. "Adams is a clear-thinking writer whose concepts cannot but help the serious photographer." - New York Times "A master-class kind of guide from an undisputed master." - Publishers Weekly Over 1 million copies sold. Review: Excellent - the master at work - It always bemuses me that some people regard photos on film and subsequently printed as in some way more "real" as representations of the world than digital/photoshop images. Adams was the master of darkroom post production and its a real shame that he didn't live to see the digital photography revolution - he'd have loved it. That much is plain from reading this excellent book and while I'm very glad to not have to spend hours in the dark room any more - just in front of a computer - I have huge admiration for Adams and the way he worked If you love his photographs you'll probably like learning how he made then - and made them is right Review: Who wouldn't want their own darkroom after reading this book. - I purchased the trilogy of these books, The Camera, The Negative and The Print as I wished to reintroduce myself to the magic of film based photography. Ansel Adams was a formative photographer, he was also methodical, systematic and philosophical. If you enjoy detailed, clear and concise information combined with art then I think you will enjoy his approach. Yes, these books were written before the mass introduction of digital media, but knowing the roots of any subject is bound to produce insights and connections. Photography is about images, emotions and interpretation. You may consider little value in understanding something of different film types, papers and developers, but digital manipulation seeks to replicate these same effects with filters and settings and understanding the origins of the processes involved may enhance your understanding of where we are now. You never know you may even try using film again, you just need to slow down a bit, but that may not be a bad thing for any us, after all photography is about looking, really looking and seeing things others can't see.